Newgrange
has some of the finest megalithic art in Europe. Three of the kerbstones
are fully decorated - the Entrance stone, Kerbstone
52
which is positioned at the exact opposite side of the cairn to the entrance,
and K 67 which lies to the
north of the chamber. In addition there are many lesser carvings on other
kerbstones. During the excavation it
was discovered that several stones were decorated on their inner hidden
sides, which prompted much speculation about the nature and meaning of the art.

The lintel of the Roofbox is engraved with a series of eight lozanges
which may reflect the division of the year into eight parts as can be seen in the equinox engravings within Cairn T at Loughcrew. The passage
and chamber stones are also richly engraved with spiral, lozange and zig-zag
motifs. The signiture of the Newgrange builders is the famous triple spiral
which appears in a large version on the entrance stone and a finer version in the end recess of the chamber.

Engraving
of the Entrance Stone from William Wilde.

The artwork was
catalogued by Claire O'Kelly, wife of Michael O'Kelly, the main excavator.
Claire took rubbings of the stones, most of which are reproduced in Michael
O'Kelly's Newgrange book.

The triple spiral or OM within the end recess of Newgrange. Click here to download an actual size image that can be printed on A4.

Another researcher who made an intensive study of the megalithic art of
the Boyne Valley and Loughcrew was Martin Brennan. His work was published
in two books, The Boyne Valley Vision and The Stars and the Stones. Brennan
was trained as an artist, and he made several groundbreaking discoveries
about the relationship between the art and the astronomical alignments
of the mounds. Sadly, his work was much maligned by the acedemics of the
times - there seems to have been plenty of animosity. However, now almost
30 years since his books were published, many of his theories have become
accepted, though mostly uncredited.

RTE's Richard Dowling speaks to Muiris O Suilleabhain, Professor of Archeology at UCD about Neolithic Art at Newgrange ahead of this year's Winter Solstice on December 21st 2011.

Painting
of K1 by Padraig Conway, Milwaukee Irishfestival, 1998.

Kerbstone
1 at Newgrange. In years gone by people had to climb over the stone. The
modern arrangement of cut limestone wings were installed during the rebuilding
of Newgrange in the 1970's to save wear and tear on the stones. A huge
number of people pass through this portal every year.